The Big Day

I've been telling Matt that I want to take the time to sit down and write about the wedding because I know the memories will never be as fresh in my mind as they are right now.

With the craziness that has been the past week, I have found how important it is to really stop and take it all in.

This post is actually being written on June 1st, 2011.  (4 days after the wedding)

Things that I want to remember about the wedding...

1) How I laid in my bed when my alarm went off at 8:30am and gave myself a little pep talk.  It went something like this "a wedding day has never killed someone...people do this everyday...you'll be fine...there is nothing to be nervous about...you've been waiting 9 years for this day...scratch that, saying things like that to yourself will make you anxious...you'll get through it...just get out of bed and pretend like it is a normal day...on the count of three you're getting up...1...2...3"  Cue running to the medicine cabinet and popping Asprin (for the headache I woke up with) and Imodium (for the nervous stomach).

2) How I was packing my bag for my wedding night and thought...I'm going to be exhausted after today to heck if I'm sleeping in anything "sexy".  Matt's old T-Shirt and an old pair of shorts sounds like exactly what I'll want to slip in to tonight!

3) How I was about to leave and my youngest sister (her and I are very alike) walked in to reassure me that she had packed in her bag to take to the church, Imodium, Pepto, Asprin, and Band-Aids!

4) How I drove my sisters to the church and I sat there for about 30 minutes collecting myself as I watched them have their hair done.

5) How I left to get my makeup done and realized that the worst thing for a bride on her wedding day is to be alone...too much time to think about small details that shouldn't be stressed over.  (Mind you, none of the nerves had anything to do with marrying and spending the rest of my life with Matt...they all had to do with making sure the event went off without a hitch.)

6) Getting my makeup done and having my Aunt and Uncle there with me.  Just having people to talk to was so relaxing!  They really pulled through for me!

7) How I got out of a speeding ticket because I was late to my hair appointment.  When the cop walked up to the window I couldn't stop laughing (that's what I do in stressful situations).  Luckily this cop had a heart and understood.  :)

8) How crazy the church got once my hair was done, the flowers arrived, I got dressed, and in the blink of an eye...it was time to walk down the aisle.

9) How surrounded by love I felt in those last few minutes before heading down the aisle.  All of my closest friends and family by my side.

10) That I took a look at Matt out of the side door to the church and when I saw that big grin on his face, my heart was so at ease.

11) How well behaved the flower girls and ring bearers were right before they walked down the aisle!

12) The doors opening to the church and the view I had of Matt at the end of the aisle...and how I couldn't look at his face because there were tears in his eyes.

13) The beautiful music and singers that made the church feel like it was going to explode with emotion!

14) My Dad handing my hand to Matt.

15) Trying to get the ceremony over ASAP because I hate being in front of people.  I tried to give Matt my cheek and realized that this was the real thing and I actually had to kiss him!  Haha...then I tried to end the ceremony without the final prayer...oops!

16) The shock when I realized that my Mom had gotten Rita's Italian Ice for our guests.

17) Taking pictures - how annoyed we are were in that moment, and now how thankful I am that I will always have those memories.

18) The ride downtown with Matt when we had a chance to re-group and talk about what just happened!  I think he kept saying "we're finally married...we did it...you're my wife...forever".

19) The anticipation of waiting on the photographer to take our pictures downtown.

20) The few minutes we got for pictures of just Matt and I.

21) The cop stopping traffic so we could get the pic that I REALLY wanted!

22) Taking a picture of our wedding bands and Longwood Rings outside of the James Center.

23) The impromptu photoshoot in the 100+ degree parking garage - those pictures better be amazing!  haha

24) Waiting to be announced

25) How bad we messed up our first dance...and how no one would have ever known!

26) How we got flash mobbed by family and friends during dinner.

27) That everyone was right...no matter how hard you try, you won't be able to eat or relax until you've talked to everyone at the reception.

28) The little moments that Matt and I stole away and just had time for us.  People won't notice if you leave the reception for 5 minutes randomly...just to talk, look around, and take it all in!

29) How drunk everyone got at the very END of the reception...the perfect time to leave and change to the bar scene.

30) That we danced the night away and my parents showed up at the bar!  It was awesome to end the night with some of our closest friends!